An increasingly common way for drivers to put themselves and others in danger, not to mention their car insurance rates, is to drive while distracted.

However, many current media reports focus on texting while driving or using a cell phone, without necessarily reminding drivers that distracted driving can come in many forms, all of which are dangerous.

One recent tragedy in Pennsylvania helps illustrate this point. Various media outlets have reported on a crash that killed a 19-year-old woman and left her 20-year-old friend with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the car was allegedly working an mp3 player and swerved across the road at the time of the incident.

This and similar tragedies involving distracted driving have led more states to consider bans on texting while driving and to pass limits on cell phone use among drivers. Regardless of the various state laws, drivers who pay attention at all times behind the wheel are far likely to end up in crashes or tragedies that could put them in legal trouble and result in dramatically higher auto insurance costs.